The launch of the Australian Youth Digital Index marks a significant milestone in understanding how young Australians engage with the digital world. The research, published by the Telstra Foundation, is the first comprehensive analysis of young Australians' experience with technology across five pillars: access, connectivity, skills, safety and wellbeing.
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It is clear that the internet is a lifeline for young people - a place where they access information, develop critical skills, connect with friends and family, and even relax and unwind. The index insights are a powerful reminder of how interconnected the digital and physical worlds have become, especially for those growing up in this first truly digital generation.
The index also underscores challenges that demand attention, particularly for young people in regional and remote communities. For example, young Australians in major cities scored higher in both digital skills (70) and overall wellbeing (53) compared to their regional and remote peers, whose scores were 66 and 50 respectively. These gaps highlight disparities in access to resources, opportunities, and tech education.
The data shows that young people in regional and remote areas are less likely to receive satisfactory technology training at work or school. Only 44 per cent of these young people reported being taught coding at school, compared to 52 per cent of their urban counterparts. Similarly, only half of young people in regional areas believe they receive good digital training at university, compared to 67 per cent of those in cities. These figures are a stark........